A MAN who was found dead in Southampton, sparking a murder probe that saw two people arrested, died of natural causes, the Daily Echo can reveal.

An inquest heard that Peter Thompson was found slumped on the sofa at his home in Eastchurch Close in Lordshill.

The 67-year-old had diabetes, was an alcoholic and took illicit drugs. He was regularly seen by carers from Care UK in Millbrook Road West.

Their records show that on April 30 - the night before he died - his friend Emma Matthews found him on the floor with a minor head injury.

On-call carers assessed him but he declined hospital treatment.

Sharon Grimes, one of Mr Thompson’s regular carers, said she had been concerned for months that Ms Matthews and friend Clint Bateman were stealing money from the pensioner.

The pair would look after him in between scheduled care visits.

Ms Grimes said the night before he died Mr Thompson had £126 in his wallet, but when he was found the money was not there.

Detective Sgt Mark Huxford, of Hampshire Major Investigation Team, said: “Initially concerns were raised that he was missing some money...That with his injury caused us initial concerns as to how he died.

“Having reviewed the case notes it was established that there were no grounds to believe that [people were stealing from him]. He had capacity to make decisions about his money.”

As previously reported a 43-year-old man and 41-year-old woman were arrested and questioned on suspicion of murder, and later released on police bail.

The flat was taped off whilst officers investigated, and neighbours told the Echo of their shock at the death in the usually-quiet street.

The inquest also heard the post mortem report by Dr Amanda Jeffrey, a Home Office registered forensic pathologist, which revealed the pensioner had taken cocaine and heroin in the days before his death, as well as his usual medication.

She also found he had significant coronary artery disease, which killed him.

Senior coroner for central Hampshire, Grahame Short, said: “It’s clear that there were some concerns at the time of his death and it’s right and proper that those were investigated by the police and a post mortem was carried out.

“Having heard the evidence I’m satisfied that this was as a result of coronary artery disease in the context of someone who was suffering from diabetes, so I find that this was a death due to natural causes.”